The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

”What’s wrong?”

Anning took a warm towel and handed it to Xiao Qin, signaling for her to wipe her face.

While Xiao Qin was wiping her face, Anning poured her a glass of Water and handed it over.

Cradling the hot tea in her hands, Xiao Qin finally felt a bit calmer and steadier inside.

She lowered her head. ”I feel all stuffed up inside and don’t know who to talk to. My mom’s already annoyed, Xiu’er doesn’t have much on her mind, and my second brother is, after all, a man—there are some things I can’t say to him. After thinking it over, you’re the only one I can talk to.”

”Then go ahead, I’m listening.”

Anning smiled. ”Just treat me like a trash can, say whatever you want to me. I promise I’ll only listen and won’t spill a word to anyone.”

Xiao Qin lifted her head and glanced at Anning. ”You’re still the best, not like them, calculating over everything. I used to think that now my older brothers are married, my parents could finally be at ease. Having more people in the home is supposed to be a happy thing, and from now on my brothers would have someone to look after them. But who knew, they’ve only been married a few days and it’s already blown up like this. Eldest and Xiao Li fought so hard... I don’t even know how to describe it. Anyway, both of them were beaten bloody. I watched coldly from the side—neither my elder sister-in-law nor Li Huixx are any good. Li Huixx is terrified our family will take advantage of her, and my elder sister-in-law is probably thinking that once the family splits she won’t have to help raise the younger ones. Then they can spend the money they earn all on themselves. That’s why she egged Eldest on to demand splitting the family.”

”What did your dad say?”

Anning asked.

Xiao Qin gave a bitter smile. ”Of course my dad doesn’t like it. Who splits the family right after getting married? People would laugh at us if it got out. Just because my dad wouldn’t agree, Eldest and Xiao Li kicked up such a fuss. When my second brother saw they’d fought till they were bleeding, he went to my dad and said fine, just split. My second brother and I both promised my dad we’d send money home every month—that’s the only reason he agreed to split the family.”

At this point, Xiao Qin felt even worse. ”I used to not understand what they were all thinking. Now that I get it, it feels even worse in my heart. My dad didn’t want to at first, so why did he agree later? Isn’t it because he figured the money my second brother and I give would be enough for him to build houses and pay bride prices for my two younger brothers? Once he’s got money in his hands, he doesn’t want Eldest and Xiao Li taking advantage of him either. He can’t wait to push them out, so my second brother’s money doesn’t have to be shared with Eldest.”

Anning held Xiao Qin’s hand. ”Don’t overthink it. Even when it’s your own parents and your own brothers and sisters, everyone still has their own calculations. We can’t control that. All we can do is do our part and have a clear conscience, that’s enough. After all, no matter how close people are, nobody can be responsible for someone else for a whole lifetime.”

Xiao Qin took a few more sips of Water and set the cup down. ”Talking to you makes me feel much better. I actually understand it all, I’m just still upset. Now that I’ve said it out loud, I’m not quite as sad anymore.”

Anning smiled. ”After the New Year it’ll only be a few days before we head back to the Capital. By then we won’t be able to meddle in any of this. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Xiao Qin nodded. ”I’ll listen to you.”

At the Yang Family, Xiao Qin didn’t dare call Anning ”second sister-in-law.” She was afraid someone from the Yang Family might hear and stir up trouble. If they ruined things between her second brother and Anning, her second brother would hate her for life.

Outside, Li Cuixia called out, ”Qinzi, stay and eat with us, will you? I cooked something good today.”

Xiao Qin hurriedly stood up. ”No need, auntie, they’re already cooking at my home. I’ll be heading back in a bit.”

She looked at Anning. ”I’ll get going then, I’ll talk to you again another day.”

Anning stood up to walk Xiao Qin out. After seeing her off, Li Cuixia asked Anning, ”What did Qinzi come looking for you for?”

Anning smiled. ”What else could it be? With her home in that mess, she feels awful. She doesn’t have anyone else she can talk to and figured she’s familiar enough with me, so she came over to chat.”

”That child really has it hard.”

Li Cuixia frowned. ”She’s not even married yet and the family’s already split. Her brothers won’t be reliable later. With someone like Xiao Qun—lazy and greedy, that one—you never know, he might even think about selling her off for money.”

Anning said softly, ”She knows how things are.”

”Knows what.” Li Cuixia curled her lip. ”That girl’s too honest. Why’d she tell Xiao Qun the truth anyway? She earns 300 yuan a month, but only told Xiao Qun she makes 200. What does Xiao Qun know? That way she can stash over one hundred yuan every month. Work a few more years, and she’ll have some savings. No matter what happens later, if she’s got money in her hand, she won’t panic.”

Anning lowered her voice. ”I’m only telling you this—don’t go repeating it outside. If it gets out, it’ll really hurt Qinzi.”

Li Cuixia nodded. ”You think I’m that kind of person?”

Anning smiled. ”Of course you’re not, mom. It’s just that this affects Xiao Yuan and Xiao Qin’s future, so we’d better be careful. You don’t know this, but Xiao Yuan and Xiao Qin are very clear-eyed. After they left home, they didn’t go straight to the Capital to look for work. The two of them sold steamed buns in the Provincial City for nearly two months. They only picked spots with heavy foot traffic, and with Xiao Qin’s skills, her steamed buns were delicious. Business was booming, and they saved up quite a bit. Once they had capital, they went to the Capital. There, Xiao Yuan rented a place and opened a renovation company. He hired some carpenters and bricklayers—the work they do is pretty good. In the six months they’ve been in the Capital, Xiao Yuan has made a lot of money. He’s already bought a house.”

”My goodness.”

Li Cuixia was stunned. ”The Xiao Family can still produce someone like that? I knew Qinzi was a good girl, a hard worker.”

As Anning helped Li Cuixia stir-fry dishes, she went on, ”Exactly. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Qin know very well what kind of people their family are. They don’t dare tell the truth when they come back. They just say they’re working for someone else. The money they promised to give Xiao Qun is just small change. Oh, and Xiao Qin has signed up to study pastry in the Capital. She plans to rent a place in the spring and open a pastry shop. She’s skilled with her hands and quick on the uptake. I figure once that shop opens it’ll make good money too. They’re going to hide this from the Xiao Family for a few years. By the time a few years pass and both of them are established and all the brothers at home are married off, nobody will be able to stir up anything even if they want to.”

Li Cuixia dished up the rice and carried it to the dining room, then turned back to ask Anning, ”How do you know all this?”

Anning put the finished dishes onto plates. ”The company Xiao Yuan opened is right by our school. I’ve seen it. They also know they can’t hide it from me, so they told me the truth and made me promise to keep it secret.”

Li Cuixia didn’t think much of it. ”Then don’t tell anyone else. Just telling me is enough—don’t go repeating it.”

”I’m not stupid. Why would I go telling outsiders?”

Anning smiled and helped Li Cuixia set the table.

She had deliberately let these things slip to Li Cuixia to bump up Xiao Yuan’s score in her eyes, to let her know Xiao Yuan isn’t lazy or greedy, but sharp and capable. That way, if things between her and Xiao Yuan ever come to light, Yang Erchou and Li Cuixia won’t be quite so furious.